“Left in total chaos.”
That’s how Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander described the state of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service when he assumed office a year ago.
Speaking to TTT News, he said he understands the service’s needs firsthand and is working to address them despite financial constraints.
“I understand, as I came from that department, how many things are needed. I am trying to provide as much as I could. We are under financial constraints, but there are some things that we can treat with.”
He noted that simple repairs of police vehicles put more than 100 of them back into the hands of officers to fight crime.
Addressing the institution’s human resources challenges is also a part of the Minister’s improvement plan.
“The Police Service too would have benefited from the absorption of 800 Special Reserve Police. The process is still ongoing because the Police Service doesn’t want, in any way, persons just to walk in. We see where that is going. Persons must be properly vetted in order to get the best out of the lot.”
Minister Alexander said he will continue working with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service to provide what is needed to adequately fight crime.